Improving and developing company culture is a critical aspect of maintaining a happy, thriving, and productive working environment. A positive culture not only attracts and retains top talent, but also fosters strong employee engagement, satisfaction, and overall performance.
But what steps can a company take if it wants to improve its culture? In this blog, we share ten ways your organisation can improve company culture. First, let’s take a look at what company culture is.
What is company culture?
Before we look at how company culture can be improved, it’s essential to understand what company culture is and why it is important in the first place. Vasundhara Sawhney in her article, ‘Why Company Culture Matters’, for the Harvard Business Review, provides a fantastic definition of workplace culture when she says:
“Simply put, culture is an organisation’s DNA. It is the shared values, goals, attitudes, and practices that characterise a workplace. It is reflected in how people behave, interact with each other, make decisions, and do their work”.
With that mind, company culture is essential for maintaining a happy workforce. As well as that, it not only fosters productivity within your team, but it also helps attract new talent through doors, helping you grow your business in the long run.
How to improve company culture
Here are ten ways you can improve company culture within your business.
1. Establish and communicate core values
Every strong company culture is built on a solid foundation of core values. These values should reflect what the company stands for and guide the behaviour of every employee. Clearly defining these values and consistently communicating them through various channels ensures that everyone is on the same page.
You can display your values on posters in the workplace, or you could give out awards to staff linked the values. You could also have them showcased in your email footer. It’s important to regularly revisit and reinforce these values through meetings, internal communications, and company events.
2. Promote open communication
Encouraging open, honest communication creates a more inclusive and transparent working environment which helps to improve culture. You can implement regular check-ins, feedback sessions, and open forums where employees can voice their opinions and concerns in a constructive manner, so that if staff believe there to be issues they can be addressed and relevant actions taken.
Leaders should also model this type of behaviour by being approachable and actively listening to their teams. An open door policy is often a good idea, and managers and leaders who spend time in the workplace seeing what colleagues do on a day-to-day basis are seen as being understanding. This breaks down any perceived barriers of them and us.
3. Reward and recognition
Reward and recognition are powerful motivators, which is why you should acknowledge and celebrate the achievements and contributions of employees regularly. This could be through formal awards, shout-outs in meetings, or simple thank you notes. You may also wish to provide small rewards as tokens of appreciation, take time to ask staff how they like to be rewarded and recognised, as that makes it more personal and meaningful. A culture of appreciation boosts morale and encourages a positive, engaged workforce.
4. Promote work-life balance
A healthy work-life balance is crucial for employee well-being. Make sure that staff understand their rights in relation to flexible working and offer remote or home working options if feasible. Simply ensuring that staff take their contracted breaks and annual leave is also important as it creates a culture that time away from work is equally important. Encourage employees to disconnect from work on an evening and weekends too as by constantly being in work mode will create burnout and a negative culture.
5. Invest in training and development
Employees are more likely to stay with a company that invests in their personal and professional growth. You should provide opportunities for professional development through in house or external training session, workshops, mentoring, coaching, and funding for professional qualifications. Supporting employees in their chosen career paths generates loyalty and shows that the company values their future. This then instils a positive culture that the company really cares about staff and wants them to be the very best of themselves.
6. Encourage team building
Strong relationships among team members contribute to a positive company culture. Consider organising team-building activities and social events away from work, but it’s important to make sure you find out what staff would like to do. This will make them feel involved and they will benefit more from the events and will connect more on a personal level.
In the working environment, you can also encourage collaborative projects and cross team working that allows employees to get to know different colleagues. This is great for fostering a great work culture as staff get to see how their work fits into the big picture and success of the company. These activities also help to build trust, improve communication, and create a sense of camaraderie.
7. Lead by example
Leaders play a crucial role in shaping company culture and they should embody the values and behaviours they wish to see in their teams. Authentic leadership, where actions align with words, sets a powerful example and reinforces the desired culture throughout the organisation. A company culture will quickly fall apart if words aren’t backed up by actions.
8. Prioritise diversity and inclusion
A diverse and inclusive workplace is a key aspect of a positive company culture. Be sure to create an inclusive environment where all employees feel valued and respected, regardless of their background. Diversity brings in different perspectives, enables innovation, and a broader understanding within the company.
9. Provide a positive physical work environment
The physical workspace can greatly impact employee morale and productivity. That’s why you should ensure the office environment is comfortable, well-lit, and conducive to work. Provide areas for relaxation and social interaction, as well as spaces that support focused work. Even in remote settings, ensure employees have the tools and resources they need to create a productive home office. When staff are presented with a great space to work in, they’ll respect it and it sets the right tone for a positive culture.
10. Regularly assess and adapt
Company culture is not static; it evolves with the organisation, therefore it’s vital to regularly assess the cultural climate through surveys, feedback, and observation. Be willing to adapt and make necessary changes to address any issues or areas for improvement. Continuous improvement shows a commitment to maintaining a healthy and positive work environment. If your culture stagnates, it loses its impact and effectiveness.
Learn how HRX can help with your company culture
Improving company culture requires ongoing effort and commitment from every level of the organisation. A strong company culture not only enhances employee satisfaction and retention but also drives overall business success.
Our HRX system can play a part in your company culture as it impacts on various areas of the employee lifecycle, if you want to find out more about how our HR software can help, take the system for a FREE 30 day trial today and see it for yourself.
